Chapter 6

Mrs. Lambert's face darkened. "Laura, you've been married into the Lambert Family for five years and haven't given us a single child.

"Now that you're finally pregnant, you should know your place. Rose is young and a bit impulsive. As her sis, can't you let it slide?"

"Sis?" I stared at her. "She's Ethan's assistant."

Mrs. Lambert ignored the title. "Ethan needs people around him who can actually help."

I let out a laugh. "So you brought a lawyer here to help me get justice?"

The lawyer placed a document by my bedside. "Mrs. Lambert, this is a convalescence agreement. Given your recent emotional instability, Mr. Lambert and his mother think it's best for you to spend some time somewhere quiet to recover."

I flipped open the first page.

The location: Willow Rest Home, in the suburbs.

That was where the Lambert Family used to send any relatives they thought had lost their minds.

I looked up. "So you want to lock me away?"

Mrs. Lambert said, "Don't put it so harshly. You're carrying the Lambert Family's child. We won't treat you badly. Once the baby is born, if you're better, you can come back."

I turned to Rose. "Was this your idea?"

She quickly waved her hands. "Mrs. Lambert, please don't accuse me. I only said you've been hurting animals lately and seemed way too tense."

Mrs. Lambert sighed. "Laura, see? You're still picking on Rose."

I pointed at my leg. "And what about these injuries?"

Rose shot back, "The hospital never proved it was a dog bite. Besides, Ethan's dog costs a fortune and is trained to behave, it would never hurt anyone on its own."

Dr. Stone snapped, "You just said you let go of the leash."

"When did I ever say that?" Rose started crying again. "Dr. Stone, Laura brought you here, so of course you're going to take her side."

The nurse stood by the door, looking like she had something to say.

Mrs. Lambert turned to her. "What's your name?"

The nurse shrank back at her stare.

I said, "Don't give her a hard time."

Mrs. Lambert turned back to me. "Sign it, and everyone can relax."

I picked up the pen.

Rose's eyes flashed with a smug glint.

I wrote one word on the paper.

Impossible.

Mrs. Lambert's face darkened. "Laura, don't force my hand."

I tossed the pen back. "I'm not signing. Go ahead and try to drag me out, there are cameras at the entrance, my medical records are all there, and everyone in the ER witnessed everything."

The lawyer leaned in and whispered, "Mrs. Lambert, it's not appropriate to use force here in the hospital."

Mrs. Lambert clutched her prayer beads. "Then we'll wait for Ethan."

Just as she finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Ethan had arrived.

Rose rushed over. "Ethan, I tried, but your wife wouldn't listen."

Ethan didn't even look at her, he walked straight to my bedside.

He glanced at the agreement in my hand. "Why won't you sign it?"

I looked at him. "Are you really going to send me to Willow Rest Home?"

He said, "It's for some peace and quiet."

"So I'm supposed to stay there until the baby's born, and then what?" I asked.

Ethan's brow furrowed. "You really shouldn't let your mind run wild right now."

I laughed. "Let me ask you, once the baby is born, who will actually have it?"

Mrs. Lambert cut him off. "The baby belongs to the Lambert Family, of course. The Peyton bloodline can't be handed over to an unstable mother."

The room fell silent.

The nurse's tray banged against the doorframe with a crisp snap.

Ethan turned to his mother. "Mom."

Mrs. Lambert said, "Am I wrong? If she can go after a dog today, what's stopping her from hurting the baby tomorrow?"

I looked at Ethan. "Is that what you think too?"

He didn't answer.

His silence said it all.

I grabbed the glass of water from my bedside and slammed it down on the agreement.

The paper was instantly soaked, the ink running everywhere and turning the words into a soggy mess.

"Get out," I said coldly.

Mrs. Lambert's face went pale with rage. "Did you tell me to get out?"

I said, "This is my hospital room."

Ethan put his hand on my shoulder. "Laura, don't make me do this."

A man's voice came from the doorway.

"And what exactly is she forcing you to do?" the voice asked.